RECIPE

Escarole Soup with Turkey Meatballs

  • Contributed by Quick From Scratch Soups & Salads
  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 4

They're not like Mama used to make: These succulent meatballs are formed from lean ground turkey instead of beef, and they're served in a light broth with escarole, not perched on top of spaghetti. (If you really miss that pasta, boil about a quarter pound of your favorite kind and stir it into the soup before serving.)

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  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 4

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
    1. 1 pound ground turkey
    2. 2 eggs, beaten to mix
    3. 1 clove garlic, minced
    4. 1 small onion, minced
    5. 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
    6. 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
    7. 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
    8. 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
    9. 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
    10. 3 tablespoons olive oil
    11. 1/2 head escarole (about 1/2 pound), leaves washed well and chopped (about 1 quart)
    12. 1 1/2 quarts canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
    13. 2 cups water
    14. 2 tablespoons red- or white-wine vinegar
    15. 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, mix together the turkey, eggs, garlic, onion, bread crumbs, Parmesan, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and the black pepper until thoroughly combined. Shape the mixture into twenty meatballs.
  2. In a large frying pan, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil over moderate heat. Add half the meatballs to the pan and cook, turning, until browned on all sides, about 3 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the pan and drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil and the rest of the meatballs.
  3. Put all of the meatballs, the escarole, broth, water, vinegar, red-pepper flakes, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt in a large pot. Cover and bring to a simmer over moderate heat, stirring occasionally. The meatballs should be cooked through by the time the broth comes to a simmer.